A Teaser of the Independent State: The Case for Replacing Partisanship in the House of Representatives to the Senate and Senate Democrats
But Sinema’s decision to become a political independent makes official what’s long been an independent streak for the Arizona senator, who began her political career as a member of the Green Party before being elected as a Democrat to the US House in 2012 and US Senate in 2018. Sinema has prided herself on being a thorn in the side of Democratic leaders, and her new nonpartisan affiliation will further free her to embrace an against-the-grain status in the Senate, though it raises new questions about how she – and Senate Democrats – will approach her reelection in 2024 with liberals already mulling a challenge.
“I’ve never fit neatly into any party box. I’ve never really tried. I don’t want to,” she added. “Removing myself from the partisan structure will provide a place of belonging for many people across the state and the country who are tired of the partisanship.”
“When I come to work each day, it’ll be the same,” Sinema said. “I’m going to still come to work and hopefully serve on the same committees I’ve been serving on and continue to work well with my colleagues at both political parties.”
In the middle of several major bipartisan bills, Sinema has been. She pointed to the record as proof that her approach has been effective.
“When politicians are more focused on denying the opposition party a victory than they are on improving Americans’ lives, the people who lose are everyday Americans,” Sinema wrote.
Sinema is up for reelection in 2024 and liberals in Arizona are already floating potential challengers, including Arizona Rep. Ruben Gallego, who said earlier this year that some Democratic senators have urged him to run against Sinema.
“I’m just not worried about folks who may not like this approach,” Sinema said. “What I am worried about is continuing to do what’s right for my state. And there are folks who certainly don’t like my approach, we hear about it a lot. But the proof is in the pudding.”
The liberals have been enraged by Sinema and Manchin, who have stood in the way of President Joe Biden’s agenda at a time when Democrats held the House, Senate and White House.
While Sinema was caught off guard by the deal that Manchin brokered with Schumer in July, she supported the spending package that Biden signed before the election.
Letting Go of the Bear: How to become a Supercentered Political Actor (and Not to be Like a Bear) When you are the Most Fabulous
“I’ve been honored to lead historic efforts, from infrastructure, to gun violence prevention, to protecting religious liberty and helping LGBT families feel secure, to the CHIPs and science bill to the work we’ve done on veterans’ issues,” she told CNN. “The list is really long. I think that the results speak for themselves. It’s OK if some people aren’t comfortable with that approach.”
Sinema’s announcement comes just days after Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock won reelection in Georgia, securing Democrats a 51st Senate seat that frees them from reliance on Vice President Kamala Harris’ tiebreaking vote.
She did not respond to questions about her stance on a strong third party in the US, nor did she address whether she would support Biden for president in the year 2024.
Sinema stated in her book “Unite and Conquer: How to build Coalitions That Win – and Last” that she was unhappy with giving up the shrill partisanship that was making her unhappy. One chapter was called “Letting Go of the Bear and Picking Up the Buddha,” with the bear representing fear and anger. “Picking up the Buddha (becoming a super centered political actor) makes you a stronger, more effective you,” she wrote. You must learn to let go of the bear and recognize it in your work to be your most fabulous political self.